Graduate Jazz Audition Requirements

Prescreening-Required of all applicants

• Prescreening 

  Submit three video recordings, in three different styles of music

  • Swing, Ballad, and Straight-eighth feel (Rock, Funk, Latin, ECM). Use live musicians, not tracks, when possible.
  • One each recording, demonstrate the ability to play the melody, accompany a soloist, and play an improvised solo.
  • Recordings can be on Acoustic or Electric Bass, however demonstrating some ability on both instruments is preferred.

• Audition

  Applicants for the Master of Music

  • Sight Reading
    • Classical Etudes- intermediate and advanced levels.
    • Rock/Fusion- 16th note syncopation and improvisation on intermediate and advanced levels.
    • Jazz-heads, walking lines, and improvisation on chord charts, intermediate and advanced levels.
  • Prepared Material (Optional)
    • Should represent the highest possible level of achievement of the candidate. The material is left to the discretion of the applicant. No more than two selections.
  • Theory
    • There will be questions throughout the audition in reference to the audition material at hand.

  Applicants for the Doctor of Musical Arts

  All of the material cited above, but at the advanced level only. The prepared material is required.

  If there are any questions about repertoire, please contact Professor Chuck Bergeron.

• Prescreening 

  Perform each of the following:

  • One jazz piece in a trio or quartet setting with a walking bass line. Short solos (‘fours’) should be included.
  • One Contemporary fusion or rock piece, played with an appropriate rhythm section.
  • One selection with an Afro-Caribbean, Brazilian or world rhythm.
  • One big band excerpt.

  Since musical interaction is essential, please use a live rhythm section for your recording.

• Audition

  Fundamental Requirements

  • Knowledge of jazz idiom, traditional and modern, at various tempos.
  • Proficiency in the rock, funk, and fusion styles.
  • Familiarity with Afro-Caribbean, Brazilian, and world styles.
  • Soloing in various settings: trading fours, filling, and improvising over an ostinato.
  • Chart reading in various styles.

  If there are any questions about repertoire, please contact Professor Dafnis Prieto.

• Prescreening 

  • Three short songs (standards, jazz standards, originals) in contrasting styles, two with bass and drum accompaniment, and one unaccompanied solo piece (chord melody for guitar). Please include the melody of each song and several choruses of improvisation. Include comping for bass solo on at least one selection.
  • Supplemental material such as minor instrument pieces, classical pieces, big band recordings, etc. is welcome but cannot substitute for the requirements above.
  • Video with live rhythm section is preferred, audio-only acceptable. Play along tracks are highly discouraged.

• Audition

  Applicants for the Master of Music

  Be prepared for all of the following, even if some areas are omitted in the actual audition:

  • Repertoire
    • Bring your repertoire list with you (those standards and jazz tunes which you know from memory). You will be asked to demonstrate proficiency related to this material.
  • Sight-reading
    • You will be asked to sight-read several pieces.
  • Ear Training
    • You will be asked to demonstrate your ability to play “by ear”.
  • Theory
    • You will be asked questions pertaining to your knowledge of various chord voicings, scales, arpeggios, etc.
  • Improvisation
    • You will have the opportunity to play several contrasting pieces (of your own choice) accompanied by a member of the Jazz Guitar faculty. Know the melody and be able to improvise and accompany (if asked) on these pieces.
  • Solo Guitar
    • Prepare one solo unaccompanied jazz guitar piece. This should be a standard, taken, if appropriate at ballad tempo, or medium swing if preferred. Include some improvisation within the framework of the arrangement.
  • Recording
    • Bring a high-quality recording, video if possible, of some jazz performances featuring you with a rhythm section. This recording should be approximately 30 minutes in length and have been recorded within the past two years. One selection should be with guitar and acoustic bass, and one with guitar, bass, and drums. The other selections could include a piano, or horn if desired.

  Applicants for the Doctor of Musical Arts

  The Doctoral audition is exactly the same as the Masters but will be assessed at an appropriately higher level.

  If there are any questions about repertoire, please contact Professor John Hart.

• Prescreening 

  Prescreening selections must be performed on acoustic piano, with live bass and drums accompaniment. Please include one song from the standard jazz repertoire from each of the following categories:

  • Ballad in tempo
    • Must be performed solo piano
  • Medium Swing
  • Up Tempo Swing
  • Latin/straight-eighth

  Improvisation should be included on all selections. At least one selection should include accompanying (comping) for a bass or other instrument solo.

  Supplemental material, including any other recordings which you feel showcase your abilities, are encouraged, including playing in other styles, accompanying, recordings of original compositions/arrangements, etc.

• Audition

  Applicants for the Master of Music

  Auditions will be performed on acoustic piano, with bass accompaniment provided. Please bring lead sheets for all prepared songs. Prepare at least one song to perform solo piano.

  Please prepare a variety of selections from the following categories:

  • Ballad
  • Medium Swing
  • Up Tempo Swing
  • Latin/straight-eighth
  • A composition by Wayne Shorter, Herbie Hancock, Chick Corea, Joe Henderson, (or one of similar style/complexity)

  Your audition will also include a sight-reading component.

  You are highly encouraged to bring a CD, DVD, or flash drive including any other material you feel showcases your abilities (arrangements, compositions, recordings/videos of playing in other styles, accompanying, organ/electric keyboard selections, etc.).

  Applicants for the Doctor of Musical Arts

  The Doctoral audition requirements are exactly the same as the Masters, but must also include at least one original composition in both the prescreening and on-campus auditions. Doctoral candidates will be assessed at an appropriately higher level.

  If there are any questions about repertoire, please contact Professor Martin Bejerano.

• Prescreening 

  • Three to five (3-5) short songs (standards, jazz standards, originals) in contrasting styles with live rhythm section accompaniment.
  • Please include the melody of each song and several choruses of improvisation.
  • Supplemental materials such as minor instrument pieces, classical pieces, big band recordings, etc. are welcome but cannot substitute for the basic saxophone and rhythm format.
  • Video is preferred, audio is acceptable.

• Audition

  Basic piano accompaniment will be provided. In some cases, applicants will perform with a rhythm section. Jazz repertoire should be performed by memory.

  • Applicants should bring a list of prepared repertoire representing a variety of key centers, tempos, and rhythmic formats.
  • Applicants will be evaluated on improvisational skills, melodic interpretation, instrumental proficiency, as well as size and variety of repertoire.
  • In addition to prepared selections, applicants may be asked to demonstrate technical devices (scales, articulations), theoretical knowledge (chord scale relationships), aural skills, keyboard skills, and sight-read written music and/or chord changes.
  • Optional, but encouraged- a concert piece or etude (non-jazz). Applicants will be judged on technique, accuracy, phrasing, articulation, tone, and intonation, etc. as related to the interpretation of a written piece of music. May be submitted as a supplemental recording.
  • Optional, but encouraged- an etude, concert piece, or jazz performance demonstrating skills on a secondary instrument(s) such as clarinet, flute, or piano. May be submitted as a supplemental recording.
  • Supplemental audition materials such as original compositions and arrangements are encouraged, but may not be substituted for the listed audition requirements.

  If there are any questions about repertoire, please contact Professor Gary Keller.

• Prescreening 

  • Any melody with I Got Rhythm chord changes B-flat, D-flat, and 
  • Ballad of choice- melody and one chorus of improvisation
  • Cherokee in B-flat (M.M. = 240)

  OR:

  • Any melody with I Got Rhythm chord changes in B-flat
  • Ballad of choice- melody and one chorus of improvisation
  • 1st Trombone part to Thad Jones’ composition Second Race

• Audition

  Applicants for the Master of Music

  Perform melody and improvisation (3 choruses for numbers 1 and 3) for the following selections:
  

  • Confirmation
  • Ballad of choice- melody and one chorus of improvisation
  • Wayne Shorter’s Fee Fi Fo Fum or Joe Henderson’s Inner Urge

  OR:

  • Blues
  • Ballad of choice- melody and one chorus of improvisation
  • 1st Trombone part to Thad Jones’ arrangement of Groove Merchant

  Applicants for the Doctor of Musical Arts

  Perform melody and improvisation (3 choruses for numbers 1 and 3) for the following selections:
  

  • Any melody with I Got Rhythm chord changes in B-flat, D-flat, and G
  • Ballad of choice- melody and one chorus of improvisation
  • Wayne Shorter’s Fee Fi Fo Fum or Joe Henderson’s Inner Urge

  OR:

  • Any melody with I Got Rhythm chord changes in B-flat
  • Ballad of choice- melody and one chorus of improvisation
  • 1st Trombone part to Thad Jones’ composition Second Race

  If there are any questions about repertoire, please contact Professor Dante Luciani.

• Prescreening 

  • Three short songs (standards, jazz standards, originals) in contrasting styles with live rhythm section accompaniment. Please include the melody of each song and several choruses of improvisation.
  • Supplemental material such as minor instrument pieces, classical pieces, big band recordings, etc. is welcome but cannot substitute for the format above.
  • Video is preferred, audio is acceptable.

• Audition

  Applicants for the Master of Music

  Perform melody and improvisation (3 choruses for numbers 1 and 3) for the following selections:
  

  • Confirmation
  • Ballad of choice- melody and one chorus of improvisation
    
  • Cherokee in B-flat (M.M. = 240)

  OR:

  • Blues
  • Ballad of choice- melody and one chorus of improvisation
  • 1st Trumpet part to Thad Jones’ arrangement of Groove Merchant

  Applicants for the Doctor of Musical Arts

  Perform melody and improvisation (3 choruses for numbers 1 and 3) for the following selections:

  • Any melody with I Got Rhythm chord changes in B-flat, D-flat, and G
  • Ballad of choice- melody and one chorus of improvisation
  • Wayne Shorter’s Fee Fi Fo Fum or Joe Henderson’s Inner Urge

  OR:

  • Any melody with I Got Rhythm chord changes in B-flat
  • Ballad of choice- melody and one chorus of improvisation
  • 1st Trumpet part to Thad Jones’ composition Second Race

  If there are any questions about repertoire, please contact Professor Brian Lynch.

• Prescreening 

  Prescreening selections must be performed on vibraphone, with piano, bass and drums accompaniment. Please include one song from the standard jazz repertoire for each of the following categories. State the theme and perform at least 2 choruses of improvisation on all selections.

  You will be evaluated on the following criteria: Technique, harmonic language (vocabulary), rhythmic accuracy/swing feel, improvisational structure, creativity, and expression.

  • Ballad
  • Medium tempo Swing tune
  • Up tempo Swing tune
  • Latin/Straight eighth tune
  • At least one selection should include accompanying (comping) for a bass or other instrument solo
  • At least one of the selections should be performed as Unaccompanied/Solo vibraphone performance with 4 mallets

  Sound and video quality

  • Sound and video recordings must be genuinely performed by you. 
  • Sound and video recordings must not be edited, nor should any effects such as “reverb” be added.
  • Play back and check your entire recording for any distortion or excessive “buzz”.
  • If accompaniment is required, ensure that it does not drown out your playing.
  • Review your recordings before uploading to ensure that they are of good quality and represent your best work to date.

• Audition

  Your audition will be performed on vibraphone (provided), with bass and piano accompaniment (provided). Please include one song from the standard jazz repertoire for each of the following categories. Improvisation should be included on all selections. No original compositions. Please select different compositions from the one you submitted for prescreening. 

  • Ballad
  • Medium tempo Swing tune
  • Medium up/Up tempo Swing tune
  • Latin/Straight eighth tune
  • A composition by Wayne Shorter, Herbie Hancock, Chick Corea, Joe Henderson, (or one of similar style/complexity)

  Your audition will also include a sight-reading component.
  
  Please bring lead sheets for all prepared songs.

  Prepare at least one song to perform solo/unaccompanied vibraphone with 4 mallets.
  
  You are highly encouraged to bring a CD/DVD/Flash Drive including any other material you feel showcases your abilities (arrangements, compositions, recordings/videos of playing in other styles, accompanying, etc.).

  Applicants for the Doctor of Musical Arts

  The Doctoral audition requirements are exactly the same as the Masters but must also include at least one original composition in both the prescreening and on-campus auditions. Doctoral candidates will be assessed at an appropriately higher level.

  If there are any questions about repertoire, please contact Professor Errol Rackipov.

Jazz Voice

• Prescreening 

  Applicants to the Master of Music

  • The prescreen will consist of four (4) prepared selections as listed below:
    • Three (3) songs (standards, jazz standards) one (1) each of swing feel, straight-eighth feel (bossa or samba) and a ballad (straight-eighth).
  • Please include the melody/head of each song and at least two (2) choruses of vocal improvisation for the swing and latin tunes. Please sing one time through the form of the ballad.
  • One (1) additional selection of any style (jazz standard – swing, latin, ballad) is either self-accompanied on piano or one (1) song singing and playing piano with a rhythm section that demonstrates jazz comping skill.
  • Live rhythm section preferred, play-along tracks are acceptable.
  • Supplemental materials such as original compositions, secondary instrument pieces, solo recordings, etc. are welcome, but cannot substitute for the requirements listed above.

  Applicants to the Doctor of Musical Arts

  • The prescreen will consist of four (4) prepared selections as listed below: 
    • Three songs (standards, jazz standards) in contrasting style (medium to up-tempo swing, bossa or samba and ballad). Two (2) of these selections must be performed with rhythm section accompaniment (live rhythm section preferred, play-along tracks acceptable) and one (1) either self-accompanied selection on piano or one song singing and playing piano with a rhythm section demonstrating jazz comping skill. The fourth required song can be of any style but must include non-functional harmony.
  • Please include the melody/head of each song and a minimum of two (2) choruses of vocal improvisation.
  • Supplemental material such as original compositions, secondary instrument pieces, solo recordings, etc. is welcome but cannot substitute for the requirements listed above.

  Helpful Hints:

  Be sure your audio recording is balanced and you (the soloist) can be heard clearly above the rhythm section or accompaniment. Please review/listen to the entire recording before uploading the video. 

  Videos created for the prescreen purpose are preferred but videos of live performances are acceptable if the videos are of good audio and video quality and the content meets the required material stated above. Please edit or remove instrumental solos or features in your prescreen videos.

  Please direct questions about repertoire or the prescreen to Dr. Kate Reid.

• Audition

  Applicants to the Master of Music

  • Perform two selections from the traditional standard or jazz repertoire at contrasting tempos (medium to fast swing) including at least two choruses of improvisation.
    • One of these pieces should also include a section of about eight measures sung a cappella. A rhythm section (pno or gtr, bass, drums) will be provided. Applicants will provide all necessary parts/charts in his/her/their appropriate performance keys.
  • Perform one selection from the traditional standard or jazz repertoire in slow/ballad style that includes a portion in rubato tempo and demonstrates artistic interpretation and understanding of vocal technique.
  • One self-accompanied selection on piano demonstrating jazz comping skill.
  • Perform additional selections (two maximum) of the applicant’s choice as time allows.
    • These may include material from the above styles or any other style- Latin, fusion, R&B, etc., and may include original compositions.
  • Applicants must be prepared to improvise over rhythm changes, demonstrate sight-singing ability, aural skills, and knowledge of jazz theory.
  • Supplemental audition materials such as original compositions and arrangements are encouraged, but may not be substituted for the listed audition requirements. 

   Applicants to the Doctor of Musical Arts

  • Applicant must demonstrate mastery of the jazz vocal idiom in a 30-minute performance.
  • Program should be varied and demonstrate knowledge of traditional and contemporary jazz repertoire and improvisational styles and include non-functional harmony. Program should demonstrate understanding of vocal technique as well as artistic interpretation. A rhythm section (pno or gtr, bass, drums) will be provided and applicant will provide all necessary charts/parts/lead sheets in his/her/their appropriate performance keys.
  • Program will include one self-accompanied selection on piano demonstrating jazz comping skill.
  • Applicant must be prepared to improvise over rhythm changes, demonstrate sight-singing and aural skills and a knowledge of jazz theory.
  • Supplemental audition materials such as original compositions and arrangements are encouraged as the time allows but may not be substituted for the listed audition requirements.

  If there are any questions about repertoire, please contact Dr. Kate Reid.